Medical Supplies - Types

Medical supplies and equipment play a very significant role in the treatment of diseases and improving patient’s comfort until he is fully healed. Medical staff should be able to know which material fits the current demand and they should be able stock on medical supplies to be used in the future.

Self Care Devices, also referred to as “home care” devices, are pieces of equipment that a patient can operate on his own and does not require professional assistance all the time to be fully functional. These mechanisms are geared towards making the patient’s daily routine less difficult.  Examples of self care devices are hearing aids and mobility aids.

Acute Care Supplies are different from Self Care Devices since the former are requires professional assistance or supervision to function properly and are thus used mostly in hospitals or any similar medical institution. Examples are nursing care kits and non-surgical instruments.

Long-Term Care items, compared to Acute Care Supplies and Self Care Devices, are used for patients in a medical facility that houses them for a longer duration. These patients are more accurately referred to as “residents” and are mostly found in care centers such as nursing homes, assisted-living residences and rehabilitation centers.

Electronic machinery, specifically Electronic Medical Record (EMR ) or Electronic Health Record (EHR), is a fast-growing category because a number of companies have started to shift their attention on such equipment. Several firms have developed software to make the use of EMR more effective and efficient. They also have been trying to work on improving storage and transportation of the electronic equipments.

Diagnostic instruments are used to test or monitor the patient’s condition. These devices take periodic measurements that are then used for diagnosis or track progress. Examples of diagnostic tools are sphygmomanometer and otoscopes which measures blood pressure and evaluate ear health respectively.

Surgical tools are used to facilitate medical operations on a certain part of the patient’s body. Examples of surgical instruments are scalpel and hemostat. Also included under this category are disposable supplies that medical professionals use to protect themselves from potential infection. Disposable masks and gloves are but a few examples of protective wear that are considered surgical tools.

Durable Medical Equipments, or simply DME, are used with the patient’s safety and comfort in mind which mainly demands toughness. Instruments under this category are said to be tested thoroughly employing various durability tests that challenge load strength and slip prevention. Walking aids and wheelchairs are notable samples belonging under this category.

Emergency kits are the most frequently used medical supplies and are usually the first in line to be used in hospitals as well. This is so because the Emergency room is like the “front door” of every hospital. Samples are minor procedure supplies and wound care kits.

Storage and transport carts assist in delivering materials to patients for their convenience. They are also used to protect and store supplies for future use. Examples of such equipments are carts that carry and stock food or medical supplies.